Museum to include seniors’ war-time stories for Remembrance Day

The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre is expanding its Remembrance Day commemorations to include seniors recollections of the wars years.

Staff are inviting seniors in retirement homes and long-term care centres to share their stories and memorabilia of war as they experienced it.

“We’ve asked our friends at the homes to bring out their war memorabilia and that could include photographs and we will bring with us some of the artifacts that we have at the museum,” said curator Barb Ribey.

“That spurs their memory and they talk about their memories during war time. That also helps us preserve our county residents stories. We will keep track of their stories as well.”

Ribey said the program extends outside of Bruce County and to date includes a request from homes in Thornbury and Meaford.

“It’s bringing stories alive and tapping into seniors memories. What was it like during war time whether they are from Bruce County or Simcoe County it doesn’t matter. We are reimbursed for our expenses by the home,” she said.

Ribey noted that so often Remembrance Day focuses on the memory of the fallen armed forces personnel yet there were many at home who contributed to the war effort whose stories are not well documented.

“The furniture factories were changed over and made propellers for planes. The women help out a great deal and so did the young. They took over the farms produced food and they have their experience,” said Ribey.

Operators of seniors facilities and county long term care homes who are interested in having the museum archiving team meet with some of their residents can contact the Bruce County Museum at 519-797-2080 and ask to speak with someone in outreach.